Exercise machine with adjustable range of motion

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine, components of an exercise machine, methods of operating an exercise machine, and methods related to building an exercise machine that allow for the performance of multiple different upper torso strength exercises, where the range of motion of a user utilizing the machine during the performance of an exercise is confined in the performance of a particular upper torso press exercise, but is altered to a different range of motion, and confined to that new range of motion, when the machine is configured to perform a new exercise.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of exercise machines. Inparticular, to exercise machines designed to perform multiple uppertorso press-type strength exercises.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Over recent years, as physical fitness has become an ever morepopular pursuit, there have evolved a plurality of exercise machinesupon which exercises can be performed by a user. One type of exercisemachine is the strength machine which is designed to improve musclestrength and tone by having the user utilize certain muscle groups topull, push or otherwise perform work on some type of resistancemechanism built into the machine.

[0005] As the nature of exercise has become more fully understood,different types of exercise machines have been developed to provide formore effective training. Originally, strength training was performed bythe lifting of free-weights. While simple to understand and operate,free-weights had inherent dangers in their use, and, althoughconceptually simple, were often hard to use correctly without trainedinstruction. In order to get the best toning or shaping results out ofparticular exercises, it is desirable that muscle groups be isolated sothat the intended muscle group is exercised by the exercise, as opposedto exercising an unintended muscle group. With free-weights it was oftennot possible to perform exercises that isolated the intended musclegroups, and even if it was possible, it was often difficult to know howto perform the exercises correctly without specific instruction. Asstrength machines have evolved, they have tried to increase both thesafety of performing different exercises, and the effectiveness of theexercise to isolate different muscle groups.

[0006] To most effectively isolate and exercise particular musclegroups, it is desirable that the exercise machine be arranged so thatthe user is limited in their range of motion to that which effectivelyperforms the desired exercise on the desired muscle groups. This isgenerally performed by the selection and arrangement of two componentsof the machine. Firstly, there is a bench, seat or other structure whichsupports the user's body. For some exercises, this may be as simple asthe floor upon which the machine rests, while for others adjustablebenches may be provided to position portions of the user's body toappropriate pieces of the exercise machine. This component helps to getthe user in a comfortable position where they can operate the movingportions of the machine, and place them in a position relative to themoving parts of the machine so that they manipulate those parts toperform the exercise.

[0007] The other component is the moving portion of the machine and isgenerally in the form of “arms” or other objects which are arranged in amanner to be engaged by the user at a certain point (such as a grip orhandle), and then be moved by the user in a manner such that the gripfollows a predetermined path and the motion of the grip is resisted bythe machine. When the two components of the machine are used togethercorrectly, the user is therefore positioned in such a manner that whenthe grip is moved by the user in the predetermined path, and theparticular muscle group to be exercised is utilized to move the grip inthat path. This results in the user both isolating a muscle group andperforming the exercise motion safely.

[0008] The difficulty with the design of strength machines, however, isthat they generally need to be both flexible to perform many exercises,and limited to force a user to perform an exercise correctly.Specifically, different types of exercise can have preferential rangesof motion of the grips or handles. With free-weights, the user canfreely position the weights relative to their body, allowing them toperform numerous exercises, but at the same time, the user is not forcedto perform any of these exercises correctly because the weights can befreely maneuvered. Strength machines on the other hand can often bedesigned to force a particular motion from the user, but this bothlimits the number of exercises which can be performed on the machine,and can force compromises in the preferred motion of an exercise toallow the exercise to be performed on the machine. This is particularlytrue when space for exercise machines is limited, such as for mostindividuals in their homes, and even for the majority of gyms or workoutfacilities.

[0009] Many strength machines, therefore, have had to settle forimperfect range of motion for some or all of the exercises they areintended to be used for in order to be able to incorporate the exercisesinto a single apparatus. In particular, upper torso press-type machineshave generally been forced to have a limited and static range of motionfor multiple exercises. Generally, the upper torso press type exercisesincluded the chest (bench) press, the lateral (incline) press, and/orthe shoulder press. To position the user for these types of exercises,the machine needs to, in some manner, compensate for the dimensions ofthe human body being different depending on the direction it ispositioned. Specifically, a user is almost always taller than he or sheis wide. Machines will generally adjust to compensate for the alteredpositioning of the user's body between the different exercises (as it isgenerally easiest to adjust the user and grip relative to each other toposition the user for performing a new exercise). Further, for pressexercises, a converging path of the hands (where the hands beginseparated and move together as they are moved from the body) ispreferable to a non-converging path. Typically, this general type ofpath is performed using a converging path machine. While these machinesare adjustable, the relative range of motion between different exercisesis generally constant.

[0010] While current converging path machines adjust to perform thedifferent exercises, they maintain the same range of motion for thedifferent exercises. Basically, the handles or grips are simply moved toa new position where they are then moved by the user in the same manneras they were for the previous exercise. As it is preferable fordifferent exercises to be performed with different ranges of motion tocompensate for the shape of the human body, it is therefore desired inthe art to have a strength machine which allows for the adjustment ofthe range of motion available to the user such that the motion of theuser is confined to a particular range of motion for any singleexercise, but the range of motion is different for different exercises.

SUMMARY

[0011] Because of these and other previously unknown problems in theart, disclosed herein is an exercise machine, components of an exercisemachine, and methods related to building an exercise machine that allowfor the performance of multiple different upper torso strengthexercises, where the range of motion of a user utilizing the machineduring the performance of an exercise is confined in the performance ofa particular upper torso press exercise, but is altered to a differentrange of motion, and confined to that new range of motion, when themachine is configured to perform a new exercise.

[0012] Described herein, in an embodiment, is an exercise machinecomprising: a first arm being rotatable about a first axis of rotationby applying force to a first handle connected to the first arm; and asecond arm being rotatable about a second axis of rotation by applyingforce to a second handle connected to the second arm; wherein the firstaxis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are non-parallel andlie in a rotational plane; wherein the first handle is moveable along afirst extension vector; and wherein the second handle is moveable alonga second extension vector, the first extension vector and the secondextension vector lying in an extension plane and being non-parallel toeach other and to both the first and the second axis of rotation.

[0013] In an embodiment of the exercise machine, the extension plane isnon-parallel with the rotational plane, the extension plane is inclinedrelative to the rotational plane, the extension plane is declinedrelative to the rotational plane, the extension plane is parallel to therotational plane, the rotational plane and the extension plane intersectat an angle of 45 degrees or less, the rotational plane and theextension plane intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or less, therotational plane and the extension plane intersect at an angle of about20 degrees, and/or the angle between the extension vectors is greaterthan the angle between the axes of rotation.

[0014] In another embodiment of the exercise machine, the first arm canmove independently to the second arm and/or the exercise machine is usedto exercise a human being's upper torso.

[0015] In still another embodiment, there is disclosed herein, Anexercise machine comprising: a first handle rotatable about a first axisof rotation, said first handle being moveable along a first extensionvector wherein said first extension vector forms a first line on a firstcone formed about said first axis of rotation wherein said first linehas a first endpoint which is closer to said first axis of rotation thana second endpoint of said first line is to said first axis of rotation;and a second handle rotatable about a second axis of rotation, saidsecond handle being moveable along a second extension vector whereinsaid second extension vector forms a second line on a second cone formedabout said second axis of rotation wherein said second line has a secondendpoint which is closer to said second axis of rotation than a secondendpoint of said second line is to said second axis of rotation; whereinsaid first cone and said second cone intersect; wherein said first axisof rotation and said second axis of rotation lie in a rotational plane;wherein said first extension vector and said second extension vector liein an extension plane; and wherein said extension plane intersects saidrotational plane.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the exercise machine, the extensionplane is inclined relative to the rotational plane, the extension planeis declined relative to the rotational plane, the extension plane is thesame plane as the rotational plane, and/or the exercise machine is usedto exercise a human being's upper torso.

[0017] In a still further embodiment, there is described herein, Amethod of constructing an exercise machine comprising: supplying aframe; providing a first axis of rotation; providing a second axis ofrotation intersecting said first axis of rotation at an intersectionpoint; defining a first extension vector along which a first handle ofsaid exercise machine can extend, said first extension vector being aline on the surface of a first cone, said first cone having said firstaxis of rotation as its axis, and said first line having an endpointcloser to said first axis of rotation than any other point on said firstline; defining a second extension vector along which a second handle ofsaid exercise machine can extend, said second extension being a line onthe surface of a second cone, said second cone having said second axisof rotation as its axis, and said second line having an endpoint closerto said second axis of rotation than any other point on said secondline; defining an extension plane including said first extension vectorand said second extension vector; defining a rotational plane includingsaid first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation; assemblingsaid exercise machine by: aligning said extension plane to benon-parallel to said rotational plane; connecting said first handle to afirst arm and said first arm to, said frame such that said first arm andsaid first handle rotate about said first axis of rotation; andconnecting said second handle to a second arm and said second arm tosaid frame such that said second arm and said second handle rotate aboutsaid second axis of rotation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018]FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a perspective view of an exercisemachine incorporating an embodiment of arms allowing for adjustablerange of motion. The exercise machine is set up to perform a lateralpress exercise.

[0019]FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1

[0022]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG.1 set up to perform a chest (bench) press exercise.

[0023]FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG.1 set up to perform a shoulder press exercise.

[0024]FIG. 7 depicts the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6 in a frontview, with the upper portion of the arms shown in the position wherethey are placed for a lateral press with the positions for a chest pressand a shoulder press shown in dashed line. The extension vectors arealso shown.

[0025]FIG. 8 depicts the resistance frame of the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 6 in a side view, with the upper portion of the arms shown inthe position where they are placed for a lateral press, with thepositions for a chest press and a shoulder press shown in dashed line.The axes of rotation and extension vectors are also shown.

[0026]FIG. 9 depicts the resistance frame of the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 6 in a top view, with the upper portion of the arms shown in theposition where they are placed for a lateral press, with the positionsfor a chest press and a shoulder press shown in dashed line. The axes ofrotation and extension vectors are also shown.

[0027]FIGS. 10A, B, C and D depict various views of an embodiment of alower arm for allowing adjustable relative range of converging motion.

[0028]FIGS. 11A, B, C, D, E and F depict various views of an embodimentof an upper arm for allowing adjustable relative range of convergingmotion.

[0029]FIG. 12 depicts the embodiment of the resistance frame shown onFIGS. 1 through 6 in a perspective view, with the left arm in the raisedposition, and the right arm in the lowered position.

[0030]FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of an exercise machineincorporating an embodiment of arms allowing adjustable relative rangeof motion set up to perform a lateral press exercise. The axes ofrotation and extension vectors are again drawn in for reference.

[0031]FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of an exercise machineincorporating an embodiment of arms allowing adjustable relative rangeof motion set up to perform a shoulder press exercise. The axes ofrotation and extension vectors are again drawn in for reference.

[0032]FIGS. 15A, B, and C illustrate the different ranges of motion fordifferent exercises as viewed from the back. FIG. 15D illustrates thedifferent ranges of motion of FIGS. 15A, B, and C in an overlappingdepiction. FIG. 15E shows an embodiment of the motions of FIG. 15D in athree-dimensional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0033] Although the exercise machines, arms, systems, and methodsdescribed below are discussed primarily in terms of their application toa particular layout of exercise machine(s), one of ordinary skill in theart would recognize that what is described herein could be used in aplurality of different exercise machines of different layouts designedto have certain desired footprints and space considerations. These caninclude, but are not limited to, home and commercial exercise machinesof all price ranges. Also, while the exercise machines are primarilydiscussed as performing arm press-type exercises (such as the chestpress, incline press, and shoulder press), they could be readily adaptedfor use with other types of press exercises, other types of exercises(such as, but not limited to, pull exercises), or exercises involvingother portions of the body (such as, but not limited to, the legs).Further, additional components, to provide for additional exercisescould be added to any of the machines discussed herein that either usethe same mechanical arms, or use different mechanisms for providinganother exercise on the same frame. Therefore, the below describedpreferred embodiments should not be used to limit the scope of thedisclosed invention.

[0034] The advent of the strength machine has made the positioning ofthe body for weightlifting easier as it is no longer required that theuser always “lift” weights (e.g. move in a direction opposing theEarth's gravitational field-to get resistance) but can now push or pullon a handle in any direction. This push or pull motion is thenmechanically translated to the “lifting” or other resistance. Manyexercises are still traditionally performed on a strength machine withthe user pushing in a direction away from the surface upon which themachine rests, as is discussed in conjunction with an embodimentdisclosed herein, but one of ordinary skill in the art would understandthat strength machines can have multiple different layouts to performsimilar exercises. What matters is that the user's position relative tothe range of motion that the machine will provide while the exercise isperformed be predetermined for that particular exercise. Therefore, theconcepts related to adjusting the range of motion between differentexercises as discussed herein could readily be adapted to machines ofdifferent types based on the below disclosed embodiments. In particular,while the discussion herein presumes the handles move generallyvertically, the invention encompasses handles moving in any direction,so long as the range of motion relative to the user is as discussed.

[0035] During this discussion, there will be numerous references to amachine's “range of motion.” Generally, this term will be used to referto the available motion that can be traversed by the portion of themachine the user is intended to grasp or otherwise manipulate to performthe exercise (these will generally be “handles”) when the machine isconfigured for performance of that exercise. The machine's range ofmotion therefore is interrelated to the motions the hands (in the caseof a torso press exercise) or other portion of the body when the user isusing the machine. In most strength machines, the machine is designed sothat the mechanisms can only move such that the user is forced to movethe portion of the machine they interact with in a prescribed way (aparticular path of motion) to move the mechanisms at all. In this way,the available range of motion of the machine attempts to dictate thatthe user perform the exercise correctly.

[0036] In the broadest sense, a strength machine, such as exercisemachine (10), includes four components. There is some form of resistancewhich the user will work against, there is a place where the user isplaced to interact with the machine, there is a mechanism fortransferring the work of the user to the resistance, and there is aframe to support the structure. These general components are describedin greater detail with regards to FIGS. 1 through 6.

[0037] Within these general constraints it will be recognized that thereare a large number of strength machine designs and the machinesdescribed herein represent only a couple of embodiments of theinvention. In an embodiment, some or all of the frame may be shared byother mechanisms for transferring work from the user to the resistancemechanisms, resistance mechanisms may be shared by mechanisms fortransferring work, and the place for the user to interact with themachine may be moveable between different mechanisms for transferringwork, or may be positionable to access different mechanisms. Further,mechanisms may be adjustable to accommodate users of different size,shape, or ability.

[0038]FIGS. 1 through 6 show various different views of an exercisemachine (10). The exercise machine (10) is primarily for use inperforming exercises to strengthen and/or tone the muscles of the torsoand/or arms. Generally, the exercise machine (10) comprises a frame (50)which is generally manufactured of steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, orother strong and rigid construction materials. In particular, the frame(50) is generally made of hollow tubes composed of these materials. Forthe purposes of this disclosure, it should be recognized that a tube canhave any shape as a cross-section and can be either hollow or solid.Therefore the term “tubes” as used herein should be considered toinclude any solid or hollow structure having any cross-sectional shape.In a preferred embodiment, the tubes are hollow and have a cross-sectiongenerally in the shape of a race track. The frame (50) is generallycomprised of two major sections. The first section is the resistanceframe (105) which provides for most of the apparatus used to provide theresistance for the exercise and the moving components of the exercisemachine (10). The second portion is the bench frame (107) which may beseparable from the resistance frame (105) as is the case in the depictedembodiment. The bench frame (107), in the depicted embodiment, generallyincludes the components of the exercise machine (10) for holding orsupporting the user to perform the exercise.

[0039] Resistance frame (105) comprises a first base member (101) whichserves as the primary support for the remaining components and restsupon a surface where the exercise machine (10) is to be placed. In thedepicted embodiment, first base member (101) is generally T-shaped toprovide for a stable base, however other shapes of the first base member(101) could be used as would be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Attached to first base member (101) is an upright portion offrame (50). The upright portion and first base member (101) generallydefine the overall shape of the resistance frame (105).

[0040] Resistance frame (105) generally includes the weights (151) orother resistance object(s) for providing resistance to the user'smovement so that the movement requires work and results in exercise.Resistance is created by weights (151) being lifted in an upwarddirection forcing the movement of the mass of the weights (151) againstthe force of a gravitational field (e.g. as shown in FIG. 12). As wouldbe understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the lifting ofweights (151) is not the only way to create work and other resistanceobject(s) could be used instead of or in addition to weights (151).These include, but are not limited to, flexible tubes or other shapeswhere work is used to bend, pneumatic or hydraulic pistons where work isused to extend or contract, elastic or rubber devices where work is usedto extend, or any combination of resistance objects. Weight support bars(153) are provided which run through holes in the weights (151). Asweight support bars (153) are generally perpendicular to the base (101),when the weights (151) are lifted, they are forced to be lifted in agenerally linear manner, and are not allowed to swing which could renderthe exercise machine (10) unstable.

[0041] Weights (151) are generally lifted through an application offorce onto the arms (205R) and/or (205L). Arms (205R) and/or (205L) thenmove in a prescribed way and transfer the work performed by the user tothe resistance mechanism upon which the work is performed. The arms(205R) and/or (205L) are generally connected, via mechanical process, tothe weights in a manner where a predetermined motion of the arms (205R)and/or (205L) is translated into motion for raising the weights (151).In the depicted embodiment, the mechanical process comprises the arms(205R) and/or (205L) pulling a cable or cables (155) (shown in FIG. 2)attached thereto at cable attachments (255R) and (255L) when the armsare pushed at handles (403L) and (403R) in a generally upward direction.The cables' (155) motion is translated by pulleys (157) until it istransferred to weights (151) in a lifting motion. One of ordinary skillin the art would, however, understand that cables (155) are notnecessary and other processes could be used so that moving arms (205R)and/or (205L) requires the performing of work by the user. Handles(403L) and (403R) provide the general point of contact between the arms(205R) and (205L) and the user. The motion traced by handles (403L) and(403R) is therefore the range of motion of a particular layout of themachine.

[0042] The second portion of the frame (50) is the bench frame (107).Bench frame (107) includes a second base member (103). In the depictedembodiment, the second base member (103) is generally I-shaped and isdesigned to interact with first base member (101) by sliding over thelong portion of first base member's (101) T-shape. The bench frame (107)is generally placed in a position where the user can reach the handles(403R) and (403L) of the arms (205R) and (205L) so as to be able toperform the work which comprises the exercise. In particular, the benchframe (107) is generally positioned so that a user on the bench (171)can reach the arms (205R) and/or (205L) comfortably and to place thearms (205R) and/or (205L) in a predetermined starting point relative tothe user's body for performing the exercise. As a general matter, thispositioning will generally require the handles (403R) and (403L) to benear the upper portion of the user's torso.

[0043] Attached to bench frame (107) is bench (171) which is designed tohold the user's body when the user is exercising on the machine. Toprovide for the ability to perform different exercises on the machine,and for the user's comfort when using the machine, the bench (171) maybe adjustable relative to the bench frame (107). In the depictedembodiment the bench (171) has two portions, the back portion (173) andthe seat portion (175). The back portion (173) is provided on rotator(177). Rotator (177) is positioned so that the back portion (173) can berotated through a plurality of different positions and angles relativeto the second base member (103). This allows a user on the bench (171)to lie prone (as in FIG. 5), be seated leaning back (as in FIGS. 1through 4), or be seated more upright (as in FIG. 6). Generally, theuser will lie or sit on the bench with their head at the position of thebench (171) furthest from the seat portion (175) and will lie face upwith their back pressed against back portion (173). (A user seated inanother embodiment of bench (171) is shown in dashed line form in FIGS.13 and 14). A user so situated is therefore positioned such that thedifferent positioning of the bench (171) will allow the user to performdifferent exercises.

[0044] Even with the rotator (177) rotating the back portion (173),additional components may be provided to allow for additional adjustmentof the user's positioning to perform the different exercises. Forinstance, the seat portion (175) may be shiftable horizontally orvertically to allow for adjustment of that portion relative to the frame(50). Alternatively or additionally, the seat portion (175) may containan automatic adjustment mechanism so that the seat portion (175)maintains its angular alignment relative to horizontal while the backportion's (173) angle is being adjusted. In another embodiment, theangle of seat portion (175) relative to back portion (173) can bealtered with the back portion (173) in any position. This type ofadjustment allows users of different builds to adjust the seat so thatthe desired exercise can be performed. For instance, a larger user mayneed more space under the handles (403R) and (403L) than a smaller user.

[0045] The position of the bench (171) will preferably be lockable sothat when the bench (171) is placed in a particular position, it can beheld there rigidly until the user wishes it to move. This type oflocking may be performed through a plurality of methods, as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. These can include, butare not limited to a spring pin, clip or other locking pin-typemechanism attached to or engaging with the bench frame (107) andengaging one or more of a plurality of holes (179) in the rotator (177).The holes (179) may correspond to predetermined positions for particularexercises. In this way, the user can move the bench (171) to apredetermined position, lock it into place, and have a bench (171)positioned for a user to perform a particular exercise. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that bench (171) need not be astructure of the machine, but could be a structure used as a bench whenoperating the machine. For instance, in an embodiment, the floor of aroom could be a “bench.”

[0046]FIGS. 13 and 14 show a user positioned as they would be forperforming an exercise in an alternative embodiment of an exercisemachine (70). The user here is at the resting stage (or the positionwith the arms lowered and the user not currently performing any work).To perform the exercise, the user would push generally away from theirbody. As the user did so, the user would exert a force on arms (205R)and/or (205L) which would result in a performance of work to raise somenumber of weights (751). From the raised position, the user then has toexert a force to lower the arms (205R) and/or (205L) in a controlledmanner (the user could simply release the handles (403R) and/or (403L)or relax the muscles in their arm(s) but that would be undesirable froman exercise standpoint and potentially dangerous). Once lowered, asingle repetition of the exercise has been completed and the user canrepeat this motion as many times as desired.

[0047] Different exercises relate to different muscles exercised andtherefore relate to the relative positioning of the user relative to theallowed range of motion of the handles (403R) and (403L). In particular,a chest (bench) press will generally be performed with the user prone(with the bench positioned as in FIG. 5), an incline press with the userleaning back (with the bench positioned as in FIGS. 1 through 4), and ashoulder press with the user seated more upright (with the benchpositioned as in FIG. 6). These positions are chosen because the generalmotion of handles (403R) and (403L) in FIGS. 1-12 is generally upward,slightly back, and converging relative to the plane of second basemember (103). In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 the user'spositioning is slightly different because the general direction of thehandles' range of motion is slightly different, but the relativepositioning of the user's torso to the machine's motion is generally thesame.

[0048] To be more specific, in a chest press, the user will generallypush straight out from the chest with the hands generally beginningclose to the front of the torso and moving outward from the torso in amotion directed slightly towards the head from the perpendicular to theplane of the torso. In an incline press the user will generally startwith the hands at the upper portion of the torso (around the collarbone) and be pushed at an angle relative to the plane of the torso andtowards the head. In a shoulder press, the hands will generally start ator around the shoulders, and be pushed in a direction generally parallelto the plane of the torso and over the head. This motion is generallythe same regardless of the actual position of the user (e.g. laying downvs. sitting upright). For clarity, a user will be described as moving“upward” when they move their body from performing a chest press to alateral press and then to shoulder press. This definition is purely forclarification and like all definitions herein should not be used tolimit the scope of a term as would be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

[0049] The adjustment of the bench (171) allows for a generalpositioning of the user relative to the handles (403R) and (403L) in amanner that generally positions the user's body to perform the differentexercises. In particular; changing the position of the bench changes theuser's shoulder's position relative to the range of motion of thehandles so that the user is generally pushing in the desired direction.However, the interrelationship of the user's body to the positioning ofthe handles (403R) and (403L) involves numerous variables. FIGS. 15Athrough 15D provide an indication of the ranges of motion and thechanges in the range of motion preferred between the differentexercises.

[0050] Research has shown that for a chest press it is best if the handsbegin the exercise in front of and below the shoulders. For a lateralpress, the hands are moved slightly further apart and higher on thechest. For a shoulder press exercise, it is preferred if the hands beginat a position out from the shoulders (e.g. the hands are beside to theoutside and slightly in front of the shoulders). Further, it ispreferable in these exercises if the user's hands are raised to aconverging point centered above the user when the user has fullyextended. Therefore, it is desirable that the starting positions of thehandles (403R) and (403L) be wider horizontally as the user moves to amore upright position. At the same time, with regard to the motion ofthe hands, it is also desirable that the convergent point of the handsbe closer to the user in a chest press exercise than in an incline pressexercise which is in turn closer than in a shoulder press exercise, sothat the user can extend an increasing distance with each respectiveexercise. Further, it is also preferable that the arc length availableto the user in a shoulder press be greater than in an incline presswhich is in turn greater than that available in a chest press. Theseincreases are preferable as going from a chest press, to a lateralpress, to a shoulder press, the user generally has greater availablemotion as their shoulders can provide for additional movement on top ofthe extension of their arms (in particular the rotation of the shoulderprovides for a larger range of motion). To put this another way, therange of motion for a first exercise can be a first predetermined value,while the range of motion for a second exercise can be a secondpredetermined value different from the first and so on for any number ofexercises. As the handles (403L) and (403R) are preferably intended totrace the preferred path of the hands, they would therefore trace asimilar pattern.

[0051] In order to understand what the desired motion of each exerciselooks like, FIGS. 15A-D provide various abstract representations ofmotion as viewed from the back or as if one was looking towards thehandles from the weights (151) in the embodiment of FIG. 1 (looking downfrom behind or on top of the user's head or placing the line of theuser's shoulders parallel to the plane of the page of the figure). TheseFIGS. are not intended to be to scale. FIG. 15A shows the motion of achest press. The dashed circles represent circular paths which could betraveled by each hand if allowed to freely move. The solid portions ofthe arc represent the portions actually traveled. In particular, at theconvergent point of the solid arcs, the handles have been raised by theuser to the apex of the exercise and are now touching (or close totouching), the handles are at the bottom of FIG. 15A when the exerciseis just being begun. That is the start of the exercise. This startingpoint will generally be defined by the machine and will usually be theresting state of the machine. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the restingstate is generally obtained because weights (151) are stacked on basemember (101) and are therefore in a steady state. Further, arms (205R)and/or (205L) may be held in the start point by plates or other objectsthat would prevent their motion beyond the start point. While FIG. 15Ashows the hands traversing a circular path to get the desired convergentmotion, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that each arccould actually be linear or of any other arc shape including but notlimited to, hyperbolic arcs, parabolic arcs, or elliptical arcs; in thelinear case, the solid arc portion essentially forms two sides of atriangle. Such arrangements comprise other embodiments of the inventionand where herein the term “arc” is used it should be understood that thearc could be linear or of any arc shape.

[0052]FIG. 15A provides for various references as to its size and shape.In particular, the starting points of the handles (403R) and (403L) areseparated by a first separation (913). First separation (913) willgenerally correspond to a distance generally equal to about the width ofthe user's torso in the preferred case. First separation (913) isgenerally chosen so that most users utilizing the machine (10) will beable to comfortably reach handles (403R) and (403L) when their hands arepositioned in front of their torso. Further, the converging point of thehandles (the apex of the exercise) is at a first height (903) thisheight will generally be chosen so that the user comfortably extendstheir arms to the first height (903) when they extend their arms fromtheir torso in a chest press exercise. The height (903) will thereforeoften correspond to the approximate length of the user's arms. FIG. 15Aalso includes two arc lengths (923R) and (923L) which correspond to thelength of the arcs traversed by the handles (403R) and (403L)respectively. Mathematics would show that the interrelationship of thearc lengths (923R) and (923L), the first separation (913), and the firstheight (903) are dependent on the radius of the circles used and thefirst distance (973) of the axes (933L) and (933R) of the arcs from eachother. In this case, as each hand follows an essentially mirroredmotion, the circles are both the same and therefore each have a radiusequal to R₁.

[0053]FIG. 15B provides a similar diagram to FIG. 15A but now looks atthe exercise motion that is used for a lateral press. The reader shouldrecognize that there are various changes in the preferable motion of thehandles as the user moves from a chest press to a lateral press. Inparticular, as the hands move more upward toward the shoulder, theygenerally move slightly further apart. Therefore, in the startingposition, the separation between the handles (403R) and (403L) should beslightly larger than for a chest press. Therefore the second separation(915) is shown slightly larger than the first separation (913). Further,at the angled position of a lateral press, the shoulders are able toprovide some translation as the arms are extended. The second height(905), therefore, is also preferably slightly greater than the firstheight (903) as the shoulders are providing for additional height.Similarly the second arc lengths (925R) and (925L) are preferablyslightly larger than first are lengths (923R) and (923L) to accommodatethe additional range of motion available to the user through therotation of their shoulder. The circles of FIG. 15B achieve the abovechanges through a selection of differences. In particular, radiuses R₂of each circle are larger than the radiuses R₁ and the axes of rotation(935R) and (935L) have also been separated by a larger second distance(975). One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that thestarting point of the handles in FIG. 15B is also moved vertically “up”the circles from FIG. 15A. This motion accommodates the physicalrepositioning of the user's body between the two exercises. One of theordinary skill in the art would understand, however, that in alternativeenvironments, the same amount or more of a larger arc could be used. InFIGS. 15A and 15B changes between positions are exaggerated for clarityand to show concepts. Therefore, the exact magnitude of changes depictedis not necessary.

[0054]FIG. 15C provides the exercise motion that is used for a shoulderpress. The change from FIG. 15B to FIG. 15C is generally similar to thechange from FIG. 15A to FIG. 15B. Again, as the hands continue to moveupward toward the shoulder, they generally move still further apart.Therefore, in the starting position, the distance between the handles(403R) and (403L) preferably increases in a shoulder press compared to alateral press. Therefore the third separation (917) is slightly largerthan the second separation (915). Also, at the steeper angled positionof a shoulder press, the shoulders are able to provide still morerotation making third height (907) preferably greater than second height(905). Similarly, the third arc lengths (927R) and (927L) also arepreferably larger than second arc lengths (925R) and (925L) toaccommodate the additional range of motion available to the user throughthe increased translation of their shoulder. As in the difference fromFIG. 15A to FIG. 15B, the circles drawn by FIG. 15C therefore haveradiuses R₃ which are greater than R₂ and the axes of rotation (937R)and (937L) are separated by the larger third distance (977). Thedimensions are again exaggerated to show concept.

[0055] As should be apparent from FIGS. 15A, 15B, and FIG. 15C, theradius R₃ is greater than the radius R₂ which is in turn greater thanthe radius R₁ and the axes of rotation (933R) and (933L) are separatedby a first distance (973) which is less than the second distance (975)separating axes of rotation (935R) and (935L) which is in turn less thanthe third distance (977) separating axes of rotation (937R) and (937L).By increasing the radius of the available arcs, the arc length isincreased between exercises. In particular, in a shoulder press, thehandles travel a smaller portion of a larger circle than in the inclinepress, which in turn has a similar relationship to the circles of achest press. This allows for an increasing arc length, that is stilleasily controlled and deals with changes of the user's body position inspace.

[0056] The FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C show an abstract interpretation ofpossible motion for each exercise. However, as has been discussedpreviously, when the user adjusts relative to the direction that thearms (205R) and (205L) move, the user's shoulders may also move relativeto the position of the machine (10) and particularly move the desiredstarting point of the exercise in three-space. To allow the user tograsp and manipulate the handles (403R) and (403L) when the bench (171)is adjusted for the different exercises, the arms (205R) and (205L) arepreferably adjustable. Specifically, the arms (205R) and (205L) need tobe able to extend longitudinally to reach the user's chest as it movesupward when moving between the different exercises (moving from FIG. 5to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6). In particular, as is clear from FIGS. 1, 5, and 6,as the user switches from a prone to an angled to a more uprightposition, the position of the upper portion of the user's torso movesboth horizontally away from the resistance frame (105), and movesvertically higher. The handles (403R) and (403L) therefore adjust sothat they can be extended to be horizontally extended and verticallyhigher. This change of position allows the handles (403R) and (403L) tobe placed at the start of each particular exercise in a positiongenerally in front of the user. This adjustment is preferably performedsimultaneously with the adjustment of the range of motion shown in FIGS.15A-C. That is, the starting points of the handles (403R) and (403L)needs to be upward and extended while simultaneously maintaining therelationships of FIGS. 15A-C.

[0057] For the purpose of this discussion, the motion of a handle whenbeing extended will be described as traversing an “extension vector.” Inthe preferred embodiment, motion of the handles along the extensionvector is the only motion of the handles selected by the user at thetime of exercise. The extension vector will therefore need to traversethe starting points of any exercise to be performed on the machine.

[0058] To help make this discussion clearer, the following additionaldefinitions will generally be used. There is an extension vectorassociated with each arm (403R) and (403L) of the machine. Thisextension vector will connect three points of either arm (403R) and(403L) which will generally be the position of the hand at the start ofthe chest press exercise, the start of the incline press exercise, andthe start of the shoulder press exercise or a subset thereof if fewerexercises are performed on the machine (or will include these pointsplus others if additional exercises are included). Further, the vectorwill have a direction associated with moving through the exercises'starting points, in the order above (although its direction may bereversed). An embodiment of two extension vectors (750L) and (750R) areshown in FIGS. 7-9. One of ordinary skill in the art would understandthat the extension vectors (750L) and (750R) are only some possibleextension vectors. In alternative embodiments of exercise machines theextension vectors can have different magnitudes and orientationsdepending on the relative positioning of the handles, arms, bench orother components.

[0059] The “axis of rotation” defines the line of points that a handleat any given extension on the extension vector would rotate about. Anembodiment is also shown in FIG. 9 as (305R) and (305L). Again this axisof rotation is exemplary and in other embodiments the line could have analternative direction or magnitude. In still another embodiment, theaxis of rotation could be defined by a single point and a singularcircle thereabout. Finally, an “exercise arc” relates to the arctraversed by the handle for any given exercise. That is, it is the worldof arcs traversed that includes the arcs shown in FIGS. 15 A-C. From theabove it should be seen that if the extension vector rotates about theaxis of rotation in the exercise arcs, all the conditions have been met.It should be recognized that these definitions are done solely forclarification and should not be interpreted to limit these terms as theywould be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0060] Particularly, in the case of a linear arc or in anotherembodiment of an arc, the axis of rotation may provide rotation in aplane other than in the plane of the page shown in FIGS. 15A-15C.Therefore, in an alternative embodiment the axis of rotation may bearranged so that there does not appear to be any rotational movementrelative to the plane of FIGS. 15A-15C or is different rotationalmovement relative to the plane, but there is rotational movement in analternative plane.

[0061] FIGS: 15D-E show the three arcs of FIGS. 15A-C together torepresent an exemplary relationship between them. In addition, thefigures show a relationship between exemplary extension vectors, user'sposition and axes of rotation which provides for the desired exercisearc. The interrelationship of FIGS. 15D-E are not intended to belimiting, but are chosen to show how one embodiment of the invention canwork. In alternative embodiments, non-overlapping conical shapes formovement could alternatively be used as could overlapping ornon-overlapping circular, elliptical, parabolic, hyperbolic, or otherarcs. The exemplary motion of FIGS. 15D-E, therefore, is intended tomerely show one example of the interrelationship of the axes of rotationand the extension vectors.

[0062] The third dimension of FIG. 15D is directly into the page.Therefore, in FIG. 15D the arc from FIG. 15B is deeper in the page thanthe arc from FIG. 15A, and the arc from FIG. 15C is deeper still.Further, FIG. 15D helps to clarify what is meant by a smaller portion ofa larger circle in the previous discussion. In FIG. 15D, the arcs forthe chest press include about a quarter of the available circle, for alateral press, the amount is increasingly less than a quarter of acircle, and for a shoulder press is significantly less than a quarter ofthe available circle. However each circle's radius has increased.Presuming a sufficient increase, the available arc length is thereforeincreased. As should be clear from FIGS. 6-8 and the prior discussion,when the user changes between exercises, the position that the handles(403R) and (403L) at their starting point adjusts to accommodate themoving position of the user's shoulders. In particular, as is clear inFIG. 8, as the user switches between exercises, the handles (403L) and(403R) will need to move both upward and extend relative to the frame ofthe machine. This corresponds to the forward and upward movement of theusers shoulders when they are on bench (171) and changing between theassociated exercises. FIG. 15D therefore adjusts the exercise arcs intothe page and “upward” relative to each other. It should be recognizedthat the use of “upward” here is arbitrary and it corresponds to theupward motion of the user. In particular, if FIG. 15D is rotated 90degrees the arcs are still moved “upward,” as nothing has changed.Further, in other embodiments the position of the user's shouldersbetween exercises may have a different relative relationship. For theseembodiments, the interrelationship of FIGS. 15A-C may be different fromthat shown in FIG. 15D.

[0063] To provide for the interrelated motions of FIG. 15D it is best tothink of a range of motion of the handles in any position. This isgenerally shown in FIG. 15E. The extension vector is any preselectedline connecting at least two points on the surface of the cone andhaving one endpoint closer to the axis of rotation than the otherendpoint. In an embodiment, the extension vector may be a trace of thecone (as shown in FIG. 15E), but that is by no means necessary.Obviously, the handle would not need to traverse all this line and inmost cases will not, but will traverse a portion of it. For any givenposition on that line, the handle will then rotate (on the surface ofthe cone or inside the surface of the cone depending on the extensionvector's placement) in an exercise arc about the axis of rotation. Thesimple one hand case therefore makes clear that as the handle moves downthe extension vector the radius of the circle generally increases. Thetwo hand motion is created by having similar cones for each hand whichintersect and have intersecting axes. In particular, the angleseparating the two axes of rotation is preferably less than the angleformed at the vertex of each cone between the axis of rotation and thesides of the cone and the angle between the two extension vectors. Thisis shown in FIG. 15E. The user (particularly the user's shoulders) isthen placed inside the area of intersection of the two cones, so as tobe able to manipulate the handles in the prescribed manner. As is alsoclear from FIGS. 15D-E, there is preferably a relationship between theplane including the extension vectors (the extension plane) and theplane including the axes of rotation (the rotational plane). In order todecrease the amount of the circle traversed when the handle istraversing a larger circle, the extension plane may be inclined relativeto the rotational plane in an embodiment. Such arrangement deals withthe adjustment of the user between exercises as previously discussed.Inclined here is used to state that if one moves on the plane in thegeneral direction of the extension vector, the distance between the twoplanes increases. In this way, the smaller angular portion of the largeravailable arc is being utilized. As discussed previously, the differencein the range of motion can be differently controlled using the same orlarger arc portions in alternative embodiments. In these alternatives,the extension plane could be parallel (same portion of arc for allexercises) or declined (increased portion of arc as arc size increases)relative to the rotational plane. In the depicted embodiment, however,the extension plane is inclined relative to the rotational plane asshown in FIGS. 15D-E. The incline angle (830) is preferably less than45°, still more preferably less than 30° and most preferably about 20°.

[0064] To have the motion of two intersecting cones shown in FIGS. 15D-Efor the handles, the following relationships of components of theexercise machine (10) are preferred. In particular, each arm (205R) and(205L) has an axis of rotation (305R) ad (305L). Moving toward where theaxes cross the handle position, the axes are diverging (non-parallel).Further, it is preferred that the extension vectors be both non-parallelto each other and non-parallel to both the axes of rotation. It isfurther preferred that the extension plane be inclined relative to therotation/plane.

[0065] From FIG. 15E the above can be generalized from interrelatedconical motion that the adjustable range of motion can preferably beobtained by controlling four different variables as the arms (403R) and(403L) are extended to move to the positions where they are used for thethree different exercises. Firstly, as the arms (205R) and (205L)extend, the handles preferably move apart from each other and outwardfrom the associated axis of rotation. Secondly, the axes of rotationabout which the handles rotate are preferably non-parallel and directedoutward in the same manner with the movement of the handles, but at ashallower angle. Thirdly, the extension vectors of the handle arepreferably directed forward relative to the user. Finally, the extensionplane is preferably generally inclined relative to the rotational plane.In alternative embodiments, similar relationships between the variousvectors, planes, and axes may be obtained, even if resulting motion isnot conical in shape.

[0066] The shadow positions of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show generally how inan embodiment of the invention the handles move to obtain positioningfor the different exercises related to that shown in FIG. 15E. Asdescribed, the handles (403R) and (403L) moving apart and away from theaxis of rotation so as to increase the radius of the circles. This canbe accomplished by having the arm form an angle of between 0° and 90°with the axes of rotation. Such an arrangement is shown clearly in theview of FIG. 9 where the arms (and the extension vectors) each projectoutward by an angle (803) from the axis of rotation for the appropriatearm. The outward projection is also visible in FIG. 7. Further, byangling the axis of rotation from the user (basically the bench (171))the separation of the radius is accomplished. FIG. 8 shows that theextension plane is also inclined relative to the rotational plane byhaving the extension vector form an angle (830) with the rotationalplane. From these FIGS., it can be seen that preferably both the axes ofrotation and extension vectors are never parallel, and define theappropriate planes.

[0067] In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14, the extensionvectors and axes of rotation maintain the above relationships relativeto each other, but the relative position of the machine has been changedmaking the projection appear to be more horizontal.

[0068]FIGS. 10 and 11 specifically depict the design of an embodiment ofright arm (205R) shown in the exercise machines of FIGS. 1 through 9 and12 through 14 that maintains the relationships discussed above. However,the right arm (205R) depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 is by no means the onlyshape of arm which may be used and other shapes of arms may be usedwhich also maintains the above relationships. Further, it is preferablethat the right arm (205R) and left arm (205L) be arranged in a mannerthat they can move independently of each other, but having interlockedarms where movement of one arm necessitates movement of the other couldalso be used.

[0069] The left arm (205L) is essentially a mirror image of the rightarm (205R). It would therefore be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art about how to adapt the discussion below and FIGS. 10 and 11concerning the structure of right arm (205R) to making left arm (205L).To provide for reference to the components of the arms, the samereference numbers will be used on the right arm (205R) as the left arm(205L) while letters will denote the particular arm being discussed.E.g., (403R) indicates the handle specifically on the right arm (205R)while (403L) indicates the handle specifically on the left arm (205L).

[0070] The right arm (205R) is composed of two primary subparts. Thelower arm (301R) which is shown in multiple different views in FIG. 10and the upper arm (401R) which is shown in multiple different views inFIG. 11. The two portions are extensibly engaged with each other so thatthe total length of the resultant arm (205R) may be shortened orlengthened by the user. This provides for the movement of the handle(403R) to the different points on the extension vector. Lower arm (301R)includes a pivot point about which the arm rotates. The pivot point iscreated by having a pivot tube (303R) which is allowed to rotate about(or to rotate with) a smaller inner core (not visible) or otherrotational object. The rotation is relative to a portion of the frame(50) so that there is a fixed axis of rotation (305R) of the lower arm(301R). As represented in FIGS. 1 through 9 and 12 through 14 asappropriate, this axis of rotation (305R) is arranged to project outwardfrom the position of the user and to be non-parallel with axis (305L).

[0071] Attached to pivot tube (303R) is lever tube (307R). Lever tube(307R) is arranged to be generally radially extended from the axis ofrotation (305R) to provide for a lever motion along a radial of-the axisof rotation (305R). Essentially, the far end (309R) of the lever tube(307R) can be moved in an arc about the axis of rotation (305R) andlever tube (307R) acts as a lever rotating about the axis of rotation(305R). Generally, the primary axis of the lever tube (307R) will bearranged so as to be at an angle (304R) with the pivot tube (303R). Inthe depicted embodiment, angle (304R) is 90 degrees. Such arrangement isby no means necessary, however.

[0072] Associated with the lever tube (307R) is cable connection (255R)which is located toward the far end (309R) of the lever tube (307R).Cable connection provides for the connection between the lever tube(307R) and the weights (151) as discussed earlier. The arrangement ofthe cable connection (255R) is selected in the depicted embodiments toallow for the movement of weights (151) a particular set distance, ascan be seen from the FIGS. (particularly FIG. 12). Because the cable(159) is connected near the far end (309R) of the lever arm (307R) fromthe axis of rotation (305R), for a small arc rotation about the axis ofrotation (305R), there is a significant angular distance moved by thefar end (309R) which is then translated to a significant pulled distanceof the cable (159) and raised distance of the weights (151).

[0073] The pivot tube (303R) and the lever tube (307R) thereforecomprise the mechanical lifting apparatus for physically raising theweights. To adjust the resulting position of the handle (403R),connection tube (311R) is then rigidly attached to the lever tube(307R). The connection tube (311R) in the depicted embodiment generallyhas two portions, the first of these is the adjustment tube (315R) andthe second is the extension tube (317R). The exact positioning of thesetwo tube portions will depend on the particular relationship of the axisof rotation (305R) relative to the user. In particular, the portions arebest described by the function that they perform. The extension tube(317R) preferably defines, along its major axis, the direction of theextension vector discussed above (that is the axis of the extension tube(317R) is parallel to the extension vector as the upper arm (401R) willextend therefrom and all other connections are preferably rigid).Therefore the extension tube (317R) is positioned such that the planepassing through both the left extension tube (317L) and right extensiontube (317R) (the tube plane) is generally parallel with the extensionplane. Further, the extension tube (317R) will also generally have amajor axis projecting upward and forward relative to the user andoutward from the axis of rotation.

[0074] The adjustment tube portion (315R), is used so as to allow theextension tube (317R) to be attached to the lever tube (307R). In anembodiment, the adjustment tube (315R) may be unnecessary as it may bepossible to position the extension tube (317R) in the correct positionand have it rigidly attach to the lever tube (307R) without the need foran adjustment tube (315R). The adjustment tube (315R) is arranged so asto have its primary axis at an angle (319R) relative to the axis ofrotation (305R) and is also arranged so as to be generally perpendicularto the primary axis of the lever tube (307R) in the depicted embodiment.The angle (319R) will generally be less than 90 degrees and ispreferably around 60 degrees. The angle (313R) between the extensiontube (317R) and the adjustment tube (315R), however, will generally begreater than 90 degrees. This can help extension tube (317R) to projectoutward from the axis of rotation (305R) as is shown in FIG. 9. Inaddition, the primary axis of the extension tube (317R) will generallyform an angle (321R) with the primary axis of the lever tube (307R) asshown in FIG. 10C. The extension tube (317R) may also include a hole(327R) or other mechanism for use in locking.

[0075]FIG. 11 provides multiple images of an embodiment of the upper arm(401R). The upper arm (401R) is comprised of a main tube (405R) andhandle (403R). The main tube (405R) may be bent at an angle (407R), mayinclude two separate tubes attached together at angle (407R), or may bea single straight piece depending on the embodiment. The main tube(405R) may also include holes (427R). In practice, the main tube (405R)of the upper arm (401R) is generally designed to be moveably attached tothe extension tube (317R) of the lower arm (301R) and generally providesthe linear extension when the arm (205R) is extended in the direction ofthe extension vector. In a preferred embodiment, the main tube (405R) isdesigned to slide into the open end (323R) of the extension tube (317R)and be extensibly engaged thereto. The tubes therefore slideably engageeach other in a linear fashion and the resulting right arm (205R) can beshortened or lengthened through the engagement of the upper arm (401K)and lower arm (301R). This slideable engagement is represented by theshadow positions of FIGS. 7 through 9. Each of the extension tube (317R)and the main tube (405R) each contain holes (327R) and (427R)respectively. These holes have been placed,to go through the outersurface of the tubes. The holes can also be positioned in apredetermined manner so as to allow for positioning of the extensiontube (317R) and main tube (405R) at predetermined points relative toeach other to create an arm of a predetermined length. When the upperarm portion (401R) is slid relative to the lower arm portion (301R),there are certain relative positions where the holes of both overlap. Atthese points a pin or other retaining device (such as but not limitedto, a cotter pin, a spring clip, a screw, or a bolt) can be placedthrough the matching sets of holes to retain the two arm portions (301R)and (401R) in their relative positions. These positions will thencorrespond to the predetermined positions of the handle (403R) toperform particular exercises.

[0076] Also included in upper arm portion (401R) is handle (403R). Inthe depicted embodiment handle (403R) is generally “L” shaped or bentinto angle (431R). This is only one of many embodiments of handle (403R)as handle (403R) can assume virtually any shape. Handle (403R) isgenerally gripped by the user in their hand and is the contact point forthe transference of the force generated by the user to the machine toperform the work to lift the weights (151). The depicted design of thehandle (403R), is preferred because it allows for a more natural gripfor performing the desired exercises (the grip portion of the handle(403R) runs both somewhat parallel to the main axis of the bench (171)and perpendicular to it allowing a selection of different grip points).Further, the handle (403R) is positioned using angles (409R), (419R),and (429R) relative to the main tube (405R). These angles will generallyall be greater than 90 degrees to place the handle (403R) in a generallyforward position and angled back into the bench (171) area so that theycan easily be reached by a user on the bench (171), even as the arm(205R) is projecting outward from the bench.

[0077] The arms (205R) and (205L) as described in FIGS. 10 and 11 allowfor the different positioning of the handles (403R) and (403L) so theycan be grasped to perform the different exercises, and to change therange of motion of the handles (403R) and (403L) while still keeping thehandles' (403R) and (403L) motion within desirable positioning for thedifferent exercises as discussed above.

[0078] For reference, FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the arms of FIGS.10 and 11 with one arm raised and the other arm lowered, one can see howthe motion of the handles (403R) and (403L) would generally correspondto that indicated by the motion in FIG. 15 by comparing the starting andfinishing positions as shown.

[0079]FIGS. 13 and 14 show the use of the arms (205R) and (205L) on analternative exercise machine (70). Exercise machine (70) is a commercialmachine where multiple exercises can be performed using only a singlecollection of weights (751). In this case, the axes of rotation (705R)and (705L) (not visible) has been moved so as to project toward thesurface of the Earth (as opposed to the projection away from the surfaceof the Earth shown in the other depicted embodiment), and have beenmoved so as to rotate at a vertically higher point on the frame (57).The arms (205R) and (205L), however, still are of the same shape andconstruction as described in conjunction with FIGS. 10 and 11. Further,the extension plane is still inclined relative to the rotational planeand the relative range of motion is maintained for the various differentexercises. The extension vectors (703R) and (703L) (not visible) projectoutward from the bench (771) and outward from the axes of rotation(705R) and (705L) (not visible). In this embodiment, the frame (57)prevents the bench (771) and from lying flat for performing a chestpress exercise. However, the principles of the machine's motion aresimilar as to those in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 through 9 and12 and the relationships are still maintained. The alteration of theabsolute direction of rotation therefore has not affected theinterrelationship discussed herein.

[0080] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a limitation to allof the provided details. Modifications and variations of the describedembodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, and other embodiments should be understood to beencompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art.

1. An exercise machine comprising: a first arm being rotatable about a first axis of rotation by applying force to a first handle connected to said first arm; and a second arm being rotatable about a second axis of rotation by applying force to a second handle connected to said second arm; wherein said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation are non-parallel and lie in a rotational plane; wherein said first handle is moveable along a first extension vector; and wherein said second handle is moveable along a second extension vector, said first extension vector and said second extension vector lying in an extension plane and being non-parallel to each other and to both said first and said second axis of rotation.
 2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said extension plane is non-parallel with said rotational plane.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said extension plane is inclined relative to said rotational plane.
 4. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said extension plane is declined relative to said rotational plane.
 5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said extension plane is parallel to said rotational plane.
 6. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 45 degrees or less.
 7. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or less.
 8. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said rotational plane and said tube plane intersect at an angle of about 20 degrees.
 9. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the angle between said extension vectors, is greater than the angle between said axes of rotation.
 10. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said first arm can move independently to said second arm.
 11. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said exercise machine is used to exercise a human being's upper torso.
 12. An exercise machine comprising: a first handle rotatable about a first axis of rotation, said first handle being moveable along a first extension vector wherein said first extension vector forms a first line on a first cone formed about said first axis of rotation wherein said first line has a first endpoint which is closer to said first axis of rotation than a second endpoint of said first line is to said first axis of rotation; and a second handle rotatable about a second axis of rotation, said second handle being moveable along a second extension vector wherein said second extension vector forms a second line on a second cone formed about said second axis of rotation wherein said second line has a second endpoint which is closer to said second axis of rotation than a second endpoint of said second line is to said second axis of rotation; wherein said first cone and said second cone intersect; wherein said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation lie in a rotational plane; wherein said first extension vector and said second extension vector lie in an extension plane; and wherein said extension plane intersects said rotational plane.
 13. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said extension plane is inclined relative to said rotational plane.
 14. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said extension plane is declined relative to said rotational plane.
 15. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said extension plane is the same plane as said rotational plane.
 16. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 45 degrees or less.
 17. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said rotational plane and said extension plane intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or less.
 18. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said rotational plane and said tube plane intersect at an angle of about 20 degrees.
 19. The exercise machine of claim 12 wherein said exercise machine is used to exercise a human being's upper torso.
 20. A method of constructing an exercise machine comprising: supplying a frame; providing a first axis of rotation; providing a second axis of rotation intersecting said first axis of rotation at an intersection point; defining a first extension vector along which a first handle of said exercise machine can extend, said first extension vector being a line on the surface of a first cone, said first cone having said first axis of rotation as its axis, and said first line having an endpoint closer to said first axis of rotation than any other point on said first line; defining a second extension vector along which a second handle of said exercise machine can extend, said second extension being a line on the surface of a second cone, said second cone having said second axis of rotation as its axis, and said second line having an endpoint closer to said second axis of rotation than any other point on said second line; defining an extension plane including said first extension vector and said second extension vector; defining a rotational plane including said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation; assembling said exercise machine by: aligning said extension plane to be non-parallel to said rotational plane; connecting said first handle to a first arm and said first arm to said frame such that said first arm and said first handle rotate about said first axis of rotation; and connecting said second handle to a second arm and said second arm to said frame such that said second arm and said second handle rotate about said second axis of rotation. 